An uncharacteristically villainous George Montgomery guest-stars as gunslinger Dan Taggert, who challenges Joe Cartwright to a duel. As an opportunist named Fitts (Robert Ellenstein) begins taking bets on the outcome of the gunfight, Ben and Hoss try to use a soft answer to turneth away Taggert's wrath-but they don't know Taggert. Though the ending is not what one could call tragic, it is hardly a happy one for the easily disillusioned Joe. Also in the cast is future softcore-porn impresario Zalman King as Pete. Written by Sidney Ellis, "The Code" was originally broadcast on February 13, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi